Hawaii business license guide
Last checked: April 26, 2026
In Hawaii, the “business license” question usually starts with the General Excise Tax license, not a regular sales tax permit.
You may also need to register your business entity with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, check your trade name, register as an employer, and get county, health, zoning, or professional permits.
The short answer
Hawaii’s state-level business setup is different from many mainland states. The Hawaii Department of Taxation says businesses operating in Hawaii must register with the Department for the right tax license, permit, certificate, registration, or exemption. For many businesses, that means a General Excise Tax, or GET, license.
The Hawaii Business Action Center says a General Excise number is required for anyone doing business in Hawaii and that it serves as a general business license. That does not mean one state filing covers everything. You may still need DCCA entity registration, a trade name filing, county zoning approval, a county business or occupation license, a food permit, a short-term rental approval, a professional license, or a federal permit.
Start with your business activity, structure, and location. Then check each layer before you open, advertise, rent a space, hire workers, or sell to customers.
Hawaii facts to know first
| Question | Hawaii answer | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Does Hawaii have a state business license? | The state-level “general” license is usually the Hawaii General Excise Tax license. DCCA’s Business Action Center says a General Excise number is required for anyone doing business in Hawaii and serves as a general business license. | DCCA Business Action Center and Hawaii Department of Taxation licensing information |
| Does Hawaii have sales tax? | No. Hawaii uses the General Excise Tax, or GET, which is imposed on business activity. DOTAX says Hawaii does not have a sales tax. | Hawaii GET information |
| What is the main tax license application? | Form BB-1, State of Hawaii Basic Business Application, or online registration through Hawaii Tax Online. | Hawaii Tax Online |
| Who handles business entity filings? | The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division, also called DCCA BREG. | DCCA BREG registration |
| What is the state online business filing portal? | Hawaii Business Express has been the online portal for many DCCA filings. DCCA was moving to a new business registration portal in April 2026, so use the official BREG page to confirm the current filing path. | DCCA BREG and new portal FAQ |
| Are there separate city governments? | Hawaii is mostly county-based for local government. The State Department of Budget and Finance says there are no independent or separate cities or other municipalities, school districts, or townships. | State of Hawaii background information |
Important: A GET license is not the same thing as zoning approval, a health permit, a professional license, or permission to operate from a home, storefront, food truck, rental unit, market booth, or job site.
Quick start checklist for Hawaii
- Write down what you will do. List your products or services, where you will work, whether customers will visit, and whether you will sell food, rent property, transport people, perform regulated work, or hire employees.
- Choose your business structure. A sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation, or nonprofit can have different filing, tax, and liability issues. DCCA suggests getting advice from a qualified attorney or accountant when choosing a structure.
- Check DCCA registration. Hawaii corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and limited liability partnerships register with DCCA BREG. A foreign LLC or corporation formed outside Hawaii may need a Hawaii authority filing before doing business in the state.
- Check your name. Search the Hawaii business name records. If you are using a business name as a sole proprietor, Hawaii says trade name registration is optional, but a bank or lender may ask for it.
- Register for the Hawaii GET license. Most businesses receiving income from business activity in Hawaii should check the General Excise Tax license rules through DOTAX.
- Register as an employer if you hire workers. Check Hawaii withholding with DOTAX, unemployment insurance with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and federal EIN rules with the IRS.
- Check your county and land use rules. County rules may control zoning, building permits, home businesses, local business or occupation licenses, short-term rentals, signs, fire review, wastewater, and other approvals.
- Check industry permits. Food, health care, construction, cosmetology, real estate, childcare, short-term rentals, alcohol, agriculture, and other activities can need special approvals.
- Save proof and renewal dates. Keep your Hawaii Tax ID, DCCA filing receipt, annual report due quarter, county permit records, license numbers, and agency emails in one place.
Do not mix up the federal, state, and county layers
Business licensing in Hawaii is layered. One approval usually does not replace the others.
| Layer | What it may cover | Examples to check |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | Federal tax ID numbers and federal licenses for certain regulated industries. | IRS EIN, alcohol, aviation, interstate agriculture, firearms, transportation, federal contracting. |
| State of Hawaii | Entity registration, GET license, withholding, state professional licensing, food permits, state tax accounts. | DCCA BREG, DOTAX, DCCA PVL, Hawaii Department of Health, DLIR. |
| County | Local business or occupation licenses, land use, building permits, zoning, short-term rentals, signs, wastewater, fire review, and local taxes or fees. | City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, County of Maui, County of Kauai. |
| Private or property rules | Rules that are not government licenses but can still block the business. | Lease terms, HOA rules, condo rules, platform rules, landlord approval, insurance requirements. |
The SBA also warns that license and permit requirements vary by business activity, location, and government rules. For federal licenses, check the agency that regulates the activity.
State registration with Hawaii DCCA
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division, handles many state business filings. DCCA says corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and publicity name rights are registered with BREG.
DCCA’s Business Action Center says registration is required for partnerships, corporations, and LLCs that will conduct business in Hawaii. Forms and fees vary by entity type.
When DCCA registration may apply
- You are forming a Hawaii LLC, corporation, partnership, or limited liability partnership.
- Your business was formed outside Hawaii and will conduct business in Hawaii.
- You need to file an annual report for an existing Hawaii entity.
- You want to register or renew a Hawaii trade name, trademark, or service mark.
- You need a certificate, copy, or official business record.
Portal note: DCCA posted a new business registration portal FAQ in April 2026. Because portal links can change, start from the official DCCA BREG page instead of relying on an old bookmarked checkout page.
Annual reports
Hawaii entities generally need to keep their DCCA records current. DCCA says annual business report filing periods are tied to the business entity’s registration date and can be filed during the quarter in which the report is due. Check DCCA’s annual report page and fee schedule before filing.
Hawaii GET license and tax registration
Hawaii does not have a regular sales tax. The state uses the General Excise Tax, or GET. DOTAX describes GET as a tax assessed on business activity.
DOTAX’s licensing table says a General Excise Tax License applies to anyone who receives income from conducting business activities in Hawaii, including wholesaling, retailing, farming, services, construction contracting, rental of personal or real property, business interest income, and royalties.
DOTAX says you can apply for a GET license online through Hawaii Tax Online or by completing Form BB-1, State of Hawaii Basic Business Application. DOTAX listed a one-time $20 registration fee for the GET license when this page was checked.
Do not call this a seller’s permit without checking. Many states use “seller’s permit” for sales tax. Hawaii does not have a sales tax. If you sell goods or services in Hawaii, you are usually looking at GET rules, not a mainland-style sales tax permit.
GET rates and county surcharge
DOTAX lists different GET rates for different activities, including a general 4% rate for many activities and lower rates for certain categories such as wholesaling or insurance commissions. DOTAX also says counties may adopt a county surcharge on state GET at the 4% rate. Confirm current rates, pass-on rules, filing frequency, and county surcharge rules directly with DOTAX or a tax professional.
Rentals and short-term rentals
Rental property can create Hawaii tax duties. DOTAX says long-term rental operators must register for GET and file GET returns. For short-term rentals, DOTAX says the Transient Accommodations Tax applies to rentals of less than 180 consecutive days and that short-term rentals are subject to both GET and TAT. Counties may also have their own County TAT and short-term rental zoning or registration rules.
Trade names and business names in Hawaii
Hawaii uses the term “trade name” for a business name registration. DCCA explains that trade names relate to businesses or entities, while trademarks and service marks relate to goods or services.
DCCA’s Business Action Center says trade name registration is optional for sole proprietors using a business name, but a financial institution may require it to open an account or apply for a loan. DCCA’s trade name page lists Form T-1 for trade name registration and explains that filing fees are not refundable.
| Item | Plain-English meaning | Hawaii office |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity name | The official name of an LLC, corporation, partnership, or other registered entity. | DCCA BREG |
| Trade name | A business name used in public that may be different from the owner’s legal name or entity name. | DCCA BREG |
| Trademark | A mark connected to goods. | DCCA BREG for Hawaii registration; federal trademark issues are separate. |
| Service mark | A mark connected to services. | DCCA BREG for Hawaii registration; federal trademark issues are separate. |
Name check tip: A name search does not replace legal advice about brand rights. DCCA registration does not automatically mean you own all rights to a name everywhere.
If you hire employees in Hawaii
Hiring workers adds more registrations and filings. Check federal and Hawaii employer rules before the first payroll.
- Federal EIN: The IRS says businesses generally need an EIN to hire employees, operate a partnership or corporation, pay certain taxes, or change business structures.
- Hawaii withholding: DOTAX says employers need to withhold Hawaii income taxes on employee wages and pay the withheld taxes to the state.
- Unemployment insurance: Hawaii DLIR says that in most cases, if you have employees working in Hawaii, you must pay unemployment taxes on their wages. DLIR also says liable employers must submit quarterly tax reports, even for quarters with no paid employees.
- Employer web account: DLIR directs employers to register through the unemployment insurance employer website.
Worker classification can be complicated. If you are not sure whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor, get advice from the proper agency or a qualified professional before you rely on a contractor label.
Industry and activity permits to check
Many Hawaii businesses need more than DCCA registration and a GET license. The right permit depends on the activity.
| Business activity | What to check in Hawaii | Starting source |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, caterer, market, lunch wagon, push cart, or other food establishment | Food Establishment permit, special event food permit, plan review, support kitchen rules, and local zoning or mobile vending rules. | Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch |
| Barbering, cosmetology, contracting, real estate, guard work, pest control, travel agency, and many licensed professions | Professional or vocational license, board rules, renewals, and license status. | DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing boards and programs |
| Short-term rental or vacation rental | GET, TAT, County TAT, county zoning, local registration, nonconforming use rules, advertising rules, and property association rules. | DOTAX rental tax information and your county planning office |
| Auctioneer, peddler, pawn broker, scrap dealer, refuse collection, used vehicle parts, and similar local occupations | County business or occupation license rules. The exact list depends on the county. | County business license or finance office |
| Agriculture, animals, plants, alcohol, aviation, transportation, firearms, broadcasting, or other federally regulated activities | Federal permits may apply, plus state and county approvals. | SBA federal license and permit guide |
| Home-based business | County zoning, signs, parking, customers, storage, deliveries, employees, food rules, lease rules, and HOA or condo rules. | Your county planning or zoning office |
Home-based and county rules in Hawaii
A state GET license does not automatically approve a home business. Your county may still control whether the use is allowed at your address.
Hawaii is unusual because there are no separate independent cities below the county level. That means the county is often the local government to check, even if your mailing address uses a city name such as Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Kahului, Līhuʻe, Kapolei, or Kihei.
Things to check before running a business from home
- Whether your zoning district allows the activity.
- Whether a home occupation, home business, special use, or similar county approval is needed.
- Whether customers, students, employees, or delivery drivers may come to the home.
- Whether storage, tools, vehicles, equipment, noise, smells, signs, or parking are limited.
- Whether food production, childcare, rentals, repairs, beauty services, or health services trigger special rules.
- Whether your lease, condo documents, or HOA rules allow business use.
Example: Hawaii County’s home occupation declaration materials say a special permit is required for a home occupation on a building site in the State land use rural or agricultural district, and some activities are not allowed as home occupations. This is why you should check the county rule for your exact address before you rely on a statewide answer.
County and local starting points
Use the county where your business address, work site, rental unit, market booth, food truck route, or event is located. If you operate on more than one island or in more than one county, check each county.
| County area | What to check | Official starting point |
|---|---|---|
| City and County of Honolulu, including Oahu | Business licenses for listed local occupations, zoning, building permits, short-term rentals, signs, and land use. | Honolulu business license page and Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting |
| County of Hawaii, including Hawaii Island | Business and occupation licenses, county permits, building, planning, zoning, and home occupation rules. | Hawaii County business and occupation licensing and Hawaii County permits |
| County of Maui, including Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe | County permits, plans, business licenses, short-term rental applications, building, planning, and development review. | Maui MAPPS and Maui County starting a business |
| County of Kauai, including Kauai and Niihau | County business resources, building permits, land use, home business rules, and transient vacation rental rules. | Kauai business resources and Kauai permits and land use |
BusinessLicenseGuide city pages for Hawaii should only be linked here after they are published and checked against official county sources. Until then, use the official county links above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling GET a sales tax permit. Hawaii does not have a sales tax. Check Hawaii GET rules instead of copying another state’s seller’s permit process.
- Stopping after the GET license. A GET license does not approve zoning, food service, short-term rentals, professional work, signage, or local occupation licenses.
- Assuming a home business is automatically allowed. County zoning, property rules, and business activity rules may still apply.
- Using a trade name without checking DCCA records. A business name search is not the same as legal clearance, but it is a practical first step.
- Ignoring annual reports. DCCA annual report timing depends on the business registration quarter. Missing it can affect good standing.
- Hiring workers before setting up employer accounts. Check federal EIN, Hawaii withholding, and Hawaii unemployment insurance before payroll starts.
- Assuming one county’s answer works statewide. Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County can handle local approvals differently.
- Trusting third-party mailers without checking DCCA. DCCA has warned businesses to be cautious of correspondence that does not come from the State of Hawaii Business Registration Division.
What to ask when you contact the agency
Before calling or emailing, write down your business type, structure, location, products or services, whether you will work from home, whether customers will visit, whether you will sell food or rent property, and whether you will hire employees.
Phone or email script
Hello. I am planning to operate a [business type] in [county] at [address or general location]. It will be [home-based / mobile / storefront / online / rental / event-based]. I plan to offer [products or services], and I [will / will not] have employees. Can you confirm which Hawaii state registration, GET license, county license, zoning approval, health permit, professional license, or other permit I should check before I start? If your office does not handle this, can you tell me which office or official page I should contact next?
If the question is about state tax registration, contact DOTAX or use Hawaii Tax Online. If it is about an LLC, corporation, partnership, or trade name, contact DCCA BREG. If it is about a specific property, home business, food truck location, short-term rental, signage, building work, or local occupation license, contact the county.
Write down the answer
- The exact license, permit, registration, or approval name.
- The agency or office that handles it.
- The official application link or form name.
- The current fee page, if there is one.
- Whether the approval must be issued before opening, advertising, signing a lease, hiring, or selling.
- The renewal date, annual report date, or tax filing frequency.
- The name of the person or office that gave the answer and the date you asked.
Official Hawaii agency directory
Use official sources for final decisions. Fees, forms, portals, rules, and filing paths can change.
- Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division — state business entity filings, annual reports, business name searches, trade names, and official business records.
- Hawaii Business Action Center — business startup help, DCCA registration guidance, GET license direction, EIN information, and employer registration direction.
- Hawaii Business Express — online business filing portal; check DCCA for the current portal status.
- Hawaii Department of Taxation — GET, withholding, TAT, tax forms, tax licenses, and Hawaii Tax Online information.
- Hawaii Tax Online — online tax registration, tax license search, and tax account services.
- Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Unemployment Insurance — employer registration and unemployment insurance accounts.
- DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division — Hawaii professional boards, licensing programs, renewals, and license lookup.
- Hawaii Department of Health Food Safety Branch — food establishment, special event food, mobile food, plan review, and related permits.
- IRS EIN information — federal employer identification number rules and application.
- SBA license and permit guide — federal licenses and permits by regulated activity.
- Hawaii county government links — official county websites for Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui County, and Kauai County.
Review notes
This page was checked against Hawaii DCCA, Hawaii DOTAX, Hawaii DLIR, Hawaii DOH, IRS, SBA, and county government pages on April 26, 2026.
DCCA was transitioning its business registration portal in April 2026. Before filing, confirm the current online filing path from the official DCCA BREG website.
FAQ
Does Hawaii have a statewide business license?
Hawaii’s state-level general business license is usually the General Excise Tax (GET) license. DCCA BAC says a General Excise number is required for anyone doing business in Hawaii and serves as a general business license. You may still need DCCA entity registration, a trade name filing, county permits, zoning approval, a health permit, a professional license, or a federal permit.
How do I get a GET license in Hawaii?
Register through Hawaii Tax Online or file Form BB-1, State of Hawaii Basic Business Application, with Hawaii DOTAX. DOTAX lists a one-time $20 fee for the GET license. Confirm the current application path and fee on the DOTAX website before filing.
Is a Hawaii GET license the same as a seller’s permit?
Not exactly. Hawaii does not have a regular sales tax. It uses GET on business activity. A GET license is the tax registration many sellers need, but local and industry permits are separate.
Do sole proprietors have to register with DCCA in Hawaii?
DCCA’s Business Action Center says entity registration is required for partnerships, corporations and LLCs doing business in Hawaii. It also says trade name registration is optional for sole proprietors using a business name. A sole proprietor may still need a GET license and local or industry permits.
Do I need a county or city business license in Hawaii?
You may. Hawaii local government is mainly county-based, and counties may handle business and occupation licenses, zoning, building permits, short-term rental rules, and other local approvals. Check the county where your business address, mobile route, rental unit, event, or job site is located.
Can I run a business from home in Hawaii?
Maybe. State registration or a GET license does not automatically approve a home business. Check county zoning, lease or HOA rules, signs, parking, visits, storage, food rules, and whether your business needs a home occupation, building, health, or special use approval.
Important disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, employment, immigration, safety, or professional advice. Business licensing rules, tax rules, fees, portals, forms, and county requirements can change. Confirm important details with the official agency or a qualified professional before you act.